Typhoon Haiyan in the Phillipines - a Real Heart-Breaker

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Some of the photos coming in , in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan say it all.

We really need to continue helping in whatever way we can, particularly in prayer - even as aid starts to come in.

Britain, the US, Australia and Canada are all responding with positive efforts spearheaded in large part by their respective military in the hope of averting further tragedy to the many surviving victims , and of getting into the process of rebuilding.

As of November 15 , 2013, the death toll is reported to be 4,460 - with many still missing.

Of the 12 million people affected by the typhoon , nearly one million ( 920,000 ) have been displaced.

Although most of the news stations have been fair in their coverage of this disaster, the same can't be said for late night television. Unfortunately, in the middle of the day, some of us still have the late night TV attitude towards others' misfortunes.

So it makes good sense for us to keep on praying in solidarity with them, as we help out in any other ways we can as well.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, had asked that yesterday (Nov 16, 2013) be a day of prayer and fasting for the victims of the typhoon that struck the Philippines last week :

The cardinal sent a letter to the clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese, declaring November 16th a day of penance, recollection and fasting.

Calling it a “Day of Lament and Hope: Solidarity in Prayer”, Cardinal Tagle said it will be a day of communion and solidarity for those “who are suffering, grieving and confused because of the successive calamities that affected the country.”

Cardinal Tagle will lead a prayer service in the parish of San Fernando de Dialo in Manila on Saturday evening.

According to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, the cardinal assured victims of the typhoon that they are not alone in their suffering and called for collections around the archdiocese to aid those in need.

“It is a time to console and embrace our neighbors. It is a time to show a love that is stronger than an earthquake or a typhoon. With this love, human lives would be restored and our nation rebuilt,” Cardinal Tagle said days after the natural disaster.

In an interview with Vatican Radio, the Archbishop of Manila said that while shocked by the images of the destruction typhoon Haiyman left, he said he was strengthened “from the love, the concern, the solidarity pouring in, not just from other parts of the Philippines but from all over world.”

“I’m deeply consoled when I see and hear testimonies of faith, especially from the victims who have lost loved ones. They turn to God, saying in God we have hope,” he said. (J.A.E.)

Unfortunately , I didn't see that news about Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle's request until early today - Sunday morning (Nov. 17 , 2013). But I trust that any little renouncements and prayers I might be able to place in the hands of Our Blessed Mother, even now, for my brothers and sisters in the affected areas of the Phillipines would still be put to very good use.

In her book Meetings With Mary ( 1995, Ballantyne Books ) author Janice Connell tells us that the Phillipines is the garden of Maryand that the "Filipinos are Her children."

Filipino families have a cultural relationship- a personal bond with Our Blessed Mother.

Perhaps we could be reminded of that the next time we take up our Rosary to pray. Perhaps we might ask that the garden of Mary be renewed and strengthened in its life, its growth and its beauty.

_________________ " . . . you should know that there is present with you the angel whom God has appointed for each man . . . This angel, who is sleepless and cannot be deceived, is always present with you; he sees all things and is not hindered by darkness. You should know, too, that with him is God " . . . - St. Anthony the Great